Don't move! Or I'll fill you full of little yellow bolts of light!
I've watched the shuttle being launched many times (including the Challenger, right from my school, Prew, in Sarasota) and they definitely are using real footage in the premier episode (that's what it's called on the DVD, not the pilot). This totally brings me back! Loving it! Uh, Canaveral?
Starting with Season One, First episode! LOL